Multi-Ethnic Families

An Approach With Love and Compassion To Generate Positive

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SCDMH Multi-Cultural CouncilJanuary 18, 2012

Nilsy Rapalo, M.A.Charleston Dorchester Mental Health

Center

MacGoldrick, Pearce, and Giordano (1982) described ethnicity a sense of commonality that is more than race, religion, or national or geographic origin. Conscious and unconscious process contribute to a sense of identity and historical continuity.

Who are part of a multi-ethnic families?

• Blacktinos• African-Americans • Native-Americans• Asian-American• New Yorican• LGBT, Senior Citizens, People with

Disabilities• Limbo Generation

Minority Groups

• Identification Process Exploration where my family came from (heritage, acculturation and traditions)

• Demystification• Affirmation (reframe any negative

cognition)

Where do you belong?

Acculturation is a process which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. Although acculturation is usually in the direction of a minority group adopting habits and language patterns of the dominant group, acculturation can be reciprocal –that is, the dominant group also adopt patterns typical of the minority group.

Turkey with Tortillas?

• Language in childhood, adulthood, proficiency• Values of preserving the culture:

history/traditions• Gender and power role changes.• Switching roles based on language access• Interaction with members of the mainstream

society (higher in kids than adults)• V62.4 Acculturation Problem DSMIV• Pathologies in each generation (self-cut)

Hazudas’s Scale (1988)

• Blended families can have experiences from wellness or from fear.

• Fear: political asylum, illegal status, adoption, TPS (temporary protection status)

• Wellness: education, new job, love.

Wellness versus Fear

Multi-ethnic kids needs a deep assessment of their emotional condition beyond their present condition. We need to talk to the parents about the mixed information that kids can receive from two different cultures like: •“Don’t talk about our family with others (Asian culture) •“Please share your ideas” (American teachers) and •PTSS (Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome).

Assertive Assessment

• Learn about new cultures and multicultural positive role model for the kids. (Dr. Quinones)

• Keep multi-ethnic materials around your office /home like books, posters, games, dolls that shows your acceptance and tolerance.

• Ask about their traditions and the meaning to be a multi-ethnic family for each member.

• Express a message of acceptance/understanding.

• Explore your own prejudices.

Tolerance as Providers

• Nothing to be ashamed about who we are.

• We are proud of the roots.

• We can create our own world with new and old traditions.

• Multi-ethnicity is a gift and embrace it. (pizza with Seafood).

Tolerance as a Family

• “To raise oneself up”

• “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences”.

Audre Lorde (Caribbean-American author)

Kupugani

• The acceptance is a process that happen to the individual but also to the society after you are willing to leave your comfort zone and reach you middle point between who you are and who are others.

• Multi-ethnic are here and are part of the American life. We need to think in different colors and faces.

• America is more than hybrid society, it is an enriched country that has evolved and the multi-ethnicity has been a contribution.

Celebrate the Process

Thank You

For More Information Contact

Nilsy Rapalo, M.A.864-873-5063

Charleston-Dorchester Mental Health Center